Here Are The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Ohio And They're Incredible

It’s fascinating to take a look back in time, isn’t it? Here are some of the oldest photos taken in Ohio, and they certainly show us how different life was back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Imagine riding in a horse and buggy to get from one side of the city to the other. The women in these photos have on full-length dresses (with petticoats underneath!), and the men wouldn’t dream of going out without a hat. Take a look at life in Ohio more than 100 years ago.

1. Marietta, mid-1890s. How would you like to ride one of these bicycles?

2. Columbus, 1903. The Ohio State Penitentiary operated from 1834 to 1984.

3. Cincinnati, 1905. Elm Street's horses and buggies made their way down this unpaved main thoroughfare.

4. Cleveland, 1903. The Union League Club opened in 1873, and is still functioning today at 1211 Euclid Avenue.

5. Columbus, 1904. This was the third Chittendon Hotel, built after the two previous buildings burned to the ground. It was demolished in 1973.

6. Cleveland, 1900. Here's the City Square - a bustling place even back then.

7. Toledo, Date Unknown. Playing in the grass.

8. Cleveland, 1900. The Hollenden Hotel opened in 1885 and enjoyed a heyday for decades, but was demolished in 1962.

9. Columbus, 1905. High Street certainly looked a lot different back then.

10. Cincinnati, 1915. Main Street was bustling with activity.

11. Mount Vernon, 1904. These men are on their way to the State Tuberculosis-Consumption Sanatorium.

12. Cleveland, 1900. Euclid Avenue was a quiet, stately thoroughfare.

13. Toledo, 1905. Summit Street was a busy street during the day.

14. Cleveland, 1900. When men wore suits, women wore long skits, and everyone wore hats to the amusement park.

15. Cleveland, 1905. Look at the street cars on Superior Street!

16. Cincinnati, 1910. Students walking on the campus of The University of Cincinnati.

17. New Philadelphia, 1904. A humorous postcard pointing out the great soil and hard working potato farmers.

18. Cincinnati, 1905. The Mount Adams Incline was a funicular in the Mount Adams neighborhood - one of five in the city. It was torn down in 1948.

Take a look at this slide show of photos taken in Cleveland and archived by the Library of Congress, then watch the other videos posted on YouTube user oldstuff4all.

What do you think of these photos? Can you imagine living in Ohio more than 100 years ago?
Step forward a bit in time now, and take a look at these Depression-Era photos.

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Here Are The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Ohio And They're Incredible

Catherine Armstrong

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